A widow is expressing her anger over plans to place a large bull sculpture very close to her home, just meters away. Wendy Pleasant’s husband, Malcolm Flynn, lost his life in 2020 after being trampled by a group of cattle in Northumberland.
The couple had lived in a house near Leigh, Cumbria, for about a year prior to his tragic passing. Now, a Limousin cow sculpture is slated to be erected as part of developments at the Southern Link Road Brisco roundabout, merely 50 meters from her residence.
This sculpture, made from weathered steel and weighing around four tons, is intended to honor Cumbria’s agricultural history.
Upon learning of the sculpture, Wendy, who is now 73, voiced her concerns to Cumberland City Council. She was disheartened by their decision to proceed, which she feels shows a lack of consideration for her feelings.
Wendy noted that the sculpture would be visible every time she steps outside, turning into a constant reminder of the tragedy surrounding Malcolm’s death. “They don’t seem to care,” Wendy said, reflecting on her experience as a former hotelier.
She recalled asking the council to reconsider its placement and was met with a dismissive response: “You’re just a human being.” Wendy believes her feelings should have some weight in the matter.
The aftermath of the incident, which was reviewed in an inquest earlier this year, has been described by Wendy as “hell on earth.” An investigation concluded that Malcolm died in an accident.
Several months ago, she alerted the council about her objections to the statue’s location, calling it insensitive. “It feels like my feelings are being ignored,” she said. “I’m not saying they shouldn’t do it, but I don’t want it right outside my home.”
Last week, council representatives invited her to view the sculpture, but she found it did little to ease her anxiety about its proximity.
Wendy is now left wondering if she can live so close to a reminder of how she lost her husband. Since his passing, she has encountered a myriad of challenges, including her own health issues and the ongoing disruption from road construction.
“After Malcolm died, I was diagnosed with cancer. It seemed like everything was happening at once,” she remarked, adding that there were times when road access was restricted, and she felt trapped.
Wendy criticized the lack of local input regarding the statue, stating, “No one asked us if we wanted this sculpture; it felt like a done deal.”
The sculpture is meant to commemorate Gleigoch Rimbaud, a notable Limousin bull that fetched a high price at auction, and symbolizes the county’s agricultural legacy.
The artist, Ellie Burden, was inspired by a bull she frequently saw on her commute when creating the piece. A spokesperson from Cumberland City Council acknowledged the sensitivity of Wendy’s concerns, stating they made efforts to work with her throughout the project.
They pointed out that changes to the design and construction process were made in response to her needs. Additionally, they provided her with access improvements and organized a private visit to observe the sculpture’s creation.
According to the council, the decision to install the Limousin bull was made after community consultations and aims to celebrate the region’s agricultural roots.
They further emphasized that the installation was intended as a tribute to local heritage and not to cause any distress to Wendy or her family. Following her husband’s passing, Wendy has resumed using her maiden name.
